Taylor signs new deal

Newcastle utility man Ryan Taylor has signed a two-year contract extension, the club have confirmed.

PUBLISHED: 13:00, Thu, Mar 8, 2012

Ryan Taylor [PA]

Newcastle utility man Ryan Taylor has signed a two-year contract extension, the club have confirmed.

The 27-year-old former Wigan player's new deal will keep him on Tyneside until the summer of 2015, and represents another boost for manager Alan Pardew, who tied up skipper Fabricio Coloccini and keeper Tim Krul on long-term arrangements last weekend.

Taylor said: "I'm over the moon. It's been a quiet one to get done and didn't take long. I stated not so long ago that I would love to stay here, and that has always been the case."

Taylor arrived at St James' Park in February 2009 under former boss Joe Kinnear, and has lined up in both midfield and defence, starting the current campaign at left-back.

However, he will perhaps always be remembered by Magpies fans for the free-kick which claimed derby victory over Sunderland in August.

Taylor said: "Playing every week helps and having a good manager has been a massive plus for me as well.

"When the gaffer came in first of all I was injured, so I've had to prove myself to him. But this season has been great for me on a personal note, and to have played in every Premier League game bar two or three then it's been a great season."

Pardew was delighted to have tied down another member of his first-team squad, saying: "I am delighted to secure a contract extension for Ryan. He has been outstanding for me this season wherever I have asked him to play.

"Ryan is a fantastic player who is firmly in the hearts of our fans, not only for his derby winner against Sunderland but also because of some excellent performances in the Newcastle shirt.

"On the back of agreeing new deals last week with Tim Krul and Fabricio Coloccini, this gives us a huge boost going into the final 11 games, and hopefully Ryan can help us make this a truly memorable season."